ESRI®
ArcGIS® is a family of software products that forms a complete geographic
information system (GIS) built on industry standards that provide
exceptional, yet easy-to-use, capabilities out of the box. ArcReader™,
ArcView®, ArcEditor™, and ArcInfo™ are a scalable suite of desktop
software products for geographic data creation, integration, and analysis.
ArcIMS® provides data and application services via the Internet. ArcSDE®
is an application server that facilitates storing and managing spatial
data in a database management system (DBMS). And ArcPad® is a mobile
technology that extends GIS to the field.

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ArcGIS provides
flexibility when configuring a system since it is modular and scalable. It
is modular in the sense that you acquire the system in pieces.

ArcReader is a free,
easy-to-use product that allows anyone to view, explore, and print
published map files.

ArcView includes all
the functionality of ArcReader and provides data visualization, query,
analysis, and integration capabilities along with the ability to create
and edit simple geographic features.

ArcEditor includes all
the functionality of ArcView and adds the power to create and edit
features in a multi-user geodatabase.

ArcInfo includes all
the functionality of ArcEditor and adds advanced geoprocessing
capabilities.